Is there a cost to check out a Discovery Kit? Through a generous grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Discovery Kits are currently available at no charge to schools across the state of Oklahoma.

How long can a Discovery Kit be checked out?

Discovery Kits can be checked out for a two-week period.

Why is the checkout period two weeks?

Our checkout period is two weeks to ensure that the maximum number of schools across Oklahoma can have access to our kits.

Can I check out the kit longer than two weeks?

We highly encourage educators to adhere to the two-week period so as to allow the kits to have increased availability; special requests will be decided on a case-by-case basis.

Can I check out more than one Discovery Kit at once?

Schools may check out one Discovery Kit at a time.

What are the available methods of acquiring a kit?

If your school is within a 15-mile radius of the Sam Noble Museum in Norman, we strongly suggest you pick up and return the kit to and from the museum. If you are unable to, please inform us when you schedule. Schools outside a 15-mile radius of the Sam Noble Museum can request shipment of the Discovery Kit through FedEx.

If a kit is shipped to my school via FedEx, how do I return the kit?

If your school is located near a FedEx Authorized Ship Center, please drop it off at the designated Shipping Center. If your school is not located near a FedEx Authorized Ship Center, please call FedEx to schedule a pick-up at least one-day prior to the actual shipping date. More detailed return shipping procedures are included with each Discovery Kit to guide you through the process.

What happens if the Discovery Kit is lost or damaged in delivery?

FedEx insures the kits so please retain the original receipt, as it may be required while processing a claim.

What happens if I do not return the kit by the scheduled return date?

If you realize that you will not be able to return the kit by the scheduled return date, we ask that you call (405) 325-1008 immediately to reschedule the return date. If we do not receive the kit on the date expected and have not heard from you, we will call to remind you. If we do not receive the kit or contact from you with in seven business days of the expected return date, we will invoice your school for the cost of the kit.

How many students can use the Discovery Kit at one time?

Each kit is designed to accommodate up to 30 students at one time. If you anticipate using the kit with more than 30 students throughout the checkout period, please let us know so that we can include additional expendable materials, if necessary.

Can I request that additional museum specimens or artifacts be added?

At this time, additional museum specimens or artifacts cannot be added to the Discovery Kits. If you are interested in learning more about how you can check out specimens and artifacts from the Sam Noble Museum education department’s scientific loan collection, please check out our page about custom Discovery Kits.

What if something is broken while in use in my classroom?

We ask that if something breaks while in use, you notify the Sam Noble Museum education department at (405) 325-1008 or education.samnoblemuseum@ou.edu. Please also include a record of this in the Inventory Checklist included with each Discovery Kit. Please note that some Discovery Kits include specimens in glass jars. Kits with these specimens will include special directions in case of breakage.

What is included in each Discovery Kit?

A detailed list of specimens and activities is located in the description of each kit.

If I am a homeschool educator, can I check out the Discovery Kits?

Yes, homeschool educators are welcome to check out the kits! The same delivery methods are available to homeschool educators outside a 15-mile radius of the Sam Noble Museum in Norman.

We welcome homeschool educators to reserve the Discovery Kits in the months of June, July, and August. During the school year (September through May), we will be happy to place you on a wait list should a kit become available. Digital versions of each kit are available year round. Learn more here.